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Document Sample
PSA1 U10 Compare and contrast essay - worksheet
Look at the texts below. Which of them compare things and which of them contrast things? Label the texts as
comparison or contrast.
___________ – focus on differences ___________ – focus on similarities
There are many differences between my I resemble my brother in many ways. First, his face
grandmother and me. I think the first and greatest similar to mine. He has brown skin with wide eyes,
difference is in our age. She is seventy years old, and he wears glasses. I also have brown skin and
while I am only 25. Second, my grandmother has need glasses. His hair is brown in color; similarly, I
blue eyes; my eyes, however, are brown. In addition, have brown hair. He and I are the same height - 1.85
my grandmother is very fat. In fact, she weights meters. In addition, he is not fat; we are both thin.
about 200 pounds whereas I weigh only 120 pounds. When he walks, his steps are as long as mine. For all
We also have different personalities. Although my these reasons, many people, even my close friends,
grandmother is always happy, I am often angry. She often think that my brother is me when they see him.
smiles all the time, even at people on the street.
Nevertheless, I smile only when I feel very happy.
Finally, my grandmother talks so much that her sons
say, "Don’t talk all the time because it is very
boring," and she answers, "It’s good for you to listen
to me." In contrast, I don’t like to talk much. I prefer
to think. Even though my grandmother and I are very
different, I am happy because we are very good
friends.
How do you distinguish between the comparison and contrast? Underline the words that help you decide
which is which. Put them into the correct column below.
Contrast connectors and expressions Comparison connectors and expressions
(considerably, a great deal, (very) much, (quite) a lot, (about/almost/approximately/completely/entirely/ex
rather, somewhat, a little, slightly, scarcely, hardly, actly/just/more or
only just) better than less/nearly/practically/precisely/quite/totally/virtuall
(much/far/a lot) more interesting than y) the same as
different from… in every way/aspect , as well
differ from… in… , too
slight differences in… as well as
but both… and…
though each (of them)
more than neither … nor...
less than like…,
one X the other likewise,…
yet in the same way
in spite of the fact that be alike
on the contrary, no more… than
on the one hand, on the other hand, correspondingly,
nonetheless, correspond to…
unlike…, one of the main arguments in favour of… is that…
conversely,
contrast with…
not as/so … as…
,as opposed to…,
one of the main arguments against… is that…
other expressions:
… with respect to… Perhaps if I tell you one or two of All things considered, I think the
advantages and disadvantages the advantages and the good points far outweigh the bad.
of… disadvantages of …., it might prevail
pros and cons help you to make a decision. One of the biggest
pluses and minuses There are some disadvantages, of advantages/disadvantages of … is
benefits and drawbacks course, as in all … . that…
The first thing to be considered
is…
Strana 1 (celkem 6)
PSA1 U10 Compare and contrast essay - worksheet
Comparison or Contrast?
Combine these sentences showing comparison or Complete the following sentences:
contrast. 1. While travelling by air is quick,…
1. Tobacco is injurious to health. Alcohol is 2. A camping holiday is cheap.
injurious to health. Furthermore…
2. Arabic is read from right to left. English is read 3. If you live in a city, there’s plenty to do.
from left to right. On the other hand…
3. Taxis are expensive. Public transport is cheap. 4. Although learning a foreign language can
4. Learning to drive a car requires a lot of be very hard work,…
patience. Learning a language requires a lot of 5. Cars are very expensive to buy. What is
patience. more,…
5. Edinburg as a major tourist centre invests large
sums of money in preserving its ancient
buildings. Cairo has discovered that well-
preserved ancient buildings are considerable
tourist attraction.
6. Japanese industry invests considerable sums of
money in research and development. British
investment in this area is low.
Compare and Contrasts Essays...
- are used to evaluate and recommend which of the things is the best or most appropriate for a
particular purpose. We do this by measuring the items against some criteria such as quantity, or cost.
- should be well-balanced. We are required to present both sides of an argument (even if we do not
always agree with the other side). We usually do this in order to present a balanced picture because it
is quite effective to show that you are aware of all the arguments before coming to a conclusion.
Therefore, comparison/contrast essays usually contain both the similarities and differences of their
topics; the emphasis, however, is usually on one or the other, depending on the author’s opinion.
Read text number 1 and complete the following:
Topic, i.e. what is compared and contrasted?
(A)
(B)
What 2 criteria are used?
(1)
(2)
Strana 2 (celkem 6)
PSA1 U10 Compare and contrast essay - worksheet
Now read both the texts and compare them. Complete the following table on the organization or compare
and contrast essays.
1 2
Colorado snow conditions are much better than Colorado snow conditions are much better than
Japanese snow conditions for downhill skiers like Japanese snow conditions for downhill skiers like
me. Most Japanese ski resorts have wet, sticky snow; me. First, Colorado mountain snow is drier than
I can easily make snowballs with it, but it is not easy Japanese snow. For example, in ski areas like Vail
to ski on wet snow. Moreover, the ski season in and Aspen, I can’t make a complete snowball
Japan is short and not always pleasant; most areas because the snow is not sticky enough, but in
open in mid-December and close by mid-March, and Japanese ski areas making snowballs is easy. The
the weather at these resorts is generally cloudy, drier snow in Colorado has two advantages: my
damp, and consequently very cold. In Colorado, clothes stay dry even when I fall, and my skis move
however, conditions are far better. First, Colorado through the "powder" snow quickly because they do
snow is dry; for example, in ski areas like Vail and not stick. In addition to the quality of the Colorado
Aspen, I can’t make a complete snowball because the snow, the weather conditions make the ski season
snow is not sticky enough. This dry snow has two both more pleasant and longer in the US. Most
advantages: my clothes stay dry even when I fall, and Japanese ski areas open in the middle of December
my skis move through the "powder" snow more and close in mid-March, but Colorado skiers can
quickly because they do not stick. In addition to the begin skiing in November, and sometimes the ski
quality of Colorado snow, the ski resorts open early areas are open until the end of April. Moreover, ski
in November and sometimes stay open until the end areas in Japan are known for their cloudy, damp
of April, giving skiers a long season. Finally, the weather, but in Colorado, the bright sun and dry
bright sun and dry weather in Colorado make it weather make it possible to ski comfortably,
possible to ski comfortably, sometimes even in sometimes even in shorts and a shirt! For these
shorts and a shirt! For these reasons, many Japanese reasons mentioned above, many Japanese skiers
skiers dream of coming to the US to ski. dream of coming to the US to ski.
Organization of a Compare and Contrast Essay
Example
Introduction:
a) a thesis statement – your main opinion on
the topic, and/or:
b) a definition or a description of what has
been said on the topic and/or:
c) the purpose of the compare and contrast
essay
Body – topic discussed in more detail, arguments given, facts explained, analysis using comparison and
contrast.
Block Arrangement Point-by-Point (or Alternating Arrangement)
A. ___________ 1. First criterion: ______________________
1. the quality of snow A. in Japan
2. the quality of the B. in Colorado
weather
2. The other criterion: ______________________
B. ___________ A. in Japan
1. the quality of snow B. in Colorado
2. the quality of the
weather
- type AB - AB
- type AA - BB
Conclusion
- logically follows from the body of the text
Strana 3 (celkem 6)
PSA1 U10 Compare and contrast essay - worksheet
- summary of what has been said,
reinforcement of the main ideas, restatement
of your opinion on the basis of what has been
said/what prevailed in the body of the essay.
Other Useful Expressions:
Introduction:
Some people protest/argue that… accepted
generally
They say/think that… It is argued that
widely
To my mind, however… believed
Giving an opinion:
As I see it,… The way I see it is that...
Personally, I think… I believe that...
As far as I’m concerned,... I feel that...
The first thing we have I agree writes
to consider… with X when he that
First of all, I would like I disagree says
It is a fact X is certainly correct
writes
There is no doubt that I completely agree with when he that
says
I believe X
when he says that
X might be correct
in saying that
Sequencing – (se)řazení Cause and Effect – příčina a následek
Also,… Také As a consequence Jako následek, v
Besides (that) Krom(ě) toho důsledku
Consequently,… Následně As a result Následkem toho…
Finally,… Nakonec Because of Kvůli
First(ly),… Zaprvé, zprvu Consequently Následně, v důsledku
Furthermore,… Nadto, dále ještě Due to Díky, následkem
In addition to that,… K tomu ještě, navíc In consequence of this V důsledku tohoto
In conclusion,… Na závěr It follows from… that Z … vyplývá, že
Last,… Naposled, v poslední řadě It is the consequence of To je následek (čeho)
Moreover,… Navíc It results from Vyplývá to z…
What is more,… A co víc,… Owing to the fact that Díky faktu, že…
Added to this,… A navíc,… That is the reason why To je důvodem, proč
Next,… Dále That is why Proto
Second(ly),… Zadruhé Therefore Tudíž
Then,… Potom Thus Takto, tedy
To begin with,… Předně
Giving Examples – uvádění příkladů Conclusion:
An additional Doplňkový příklad All this considered,… Summarizing
example of… (čeho) To sum up then, I think… In short,…
An example of… Příklad (čeho) In conclusion,… In a word,…
Another example Další příklad (čeho) On the whole,… In brief,…
is… Altogether,… To sum up,…
For example,… Například In all,…
For instance,… Například
One of the best- Jeden z nejznámějších Therefore,
known examples příkladů (čeho) Thus,
can
concluded
of On this it be deduced that…
may
The most Nejvýznamnější basis, inferred
significant příklad (čeho) Given this,
example of
To illustrate,… Pro ilustraci,…
Strana 4 (celkem 6)
PSA1 U10 Compare and contrast essay - worksheet
Topic 1: Using Live Animals for Experiments
In Britain there is growing controversy about the use of live animals for experiments. This use of animals is
known as vivisection. Imagine you are a journalist. Write a short piece asking your readers what they think
of the issue. Use the arguments in the table below.
for against
Animals tests are essential. Without them, drugs like Animals are not only used for medical reasons,
insulin would not be developed. but also for cosmetics.
Future tests are needed to cure cancer and epilepsy, for Animals are used for chemical warfare tests.
example.
Cosmetic tests make sure beauty products don’t cause Failure of drugs like thalidomide shows animals
cancer. are not a realistic guide to human reaction.
Animals used are mainly specially bred rats and mice. The experiments are very cruel.
Follow this structure:
Paragraph 1: Introduce the issue.
Para 2: Outline the arguments for vivisection without using the first person.
Para 3: Outline the arguments against vivisection without using the first person.
Para 4: Conclude the essay by telling your opinion and suggesting some solutions.
Topic 2: Studying English with a Private Tutor vs. Studying in an English Class
Follow this outline:
Paragraph 1: Introduce the issue. Studying English with a private tutor is more helpful than studying in an
English class.
Para 2: Outline the arguments for studying with a private tutor.
- Students have the opportunity to assimilate information at his/her own pace. (rate of learning)
- Students participate orally during at least half of each class (participation)
- Students can make progress and achieve individual goals. (goals)
Para 3: Outline the arguments for studying in an English class
- Students must progress at the rate of the class (rate of learning)
- Students may be able to participate during only a small percentage of the class (participation)
- Students must accept class goals. (goals)
Para 4: Conclusion: After investigating the advantages above, I ….
Topic 3: Which Car to Choose?
Advice your friend on which of the following cars to buy and why.
make price Country of origin Engine size m.p.g.
Toyota 5,200 Japan 999 cc 48
Volkswagen 6,000 Germany 1272 cc 40
Ford 4,900 USA 1118 cc 48
Nissan 5,200 Japan 988 cc 52
m.p.g. – miles per gallon
Topic 4: A Conventional Camera or a Digital Camera?
Advise your friend on which camera to buy and why.
Feature Digital Conventional
Lens + +
Viewfinder + +
Requires chemical processing - +
Film - +
Transfers images directly to PC + -
Can delete unsatisfactory images + -
Strana 5 (celkem 6)
PSA1 U10 Compare and contrast essay - worksheet
Topic 5: Should Married Women with Children Be Discouraged from Going to Work?
- useful language:
free to do something, do what they wish, the right to choose, feel trapped by marriage, make just as
important a contribution to the prosperity of their country as men do, nurseries, take care of young children
during working hours.
Topic 6: Differences and Similarities of English and Czech
Which of these languages is easier to learn? You can compare the following: vocabulary, grammar,
pronunciation…
Topic 7: Pros and Cons of Living in a Foreign Country
Discuss some advantages and disadvantages of living abroad. You may use some statistical information
(from Encarta, for instance) if needed.
Other topics:
8. Which Is Better: Travelling by Car or by... ?
9. Is Owning a Car an Advantage?
10. Is Being an Only Child an Advantage?
11. Which Is Better: Living in a City or in the Country?
12. Should the Police Carry Guns?
13. Is It Better to Be Born a Boy or a Girl?
Strana 6 (celkem 6)
